Mbali Mlotshwa's 'Millionaire' Plea: Explosive Details Emerge in Black Coffee Divorce Battle
Johannesburg – The divorce proceedings between actress Mbali Mlotshwa and internationally acclaimed DJ Black Coffee, born Nathi Maphumulo, have taken a dramatic turn with the emergence of explosive details from a recent court judgment. The judgment, delivered by acting judge Mongezi Ntanga of the Johannesburg High Court, sheds light on the couple's relationship, its breakdown, and the ensuing legal battle over their substantial estate, estimated to be worth over R100 million.
At the heart of the matter is Mlotshwa's claim for a decree of divorce and an equal division of their assets, arguing that they were married in community of property. Black Coffee, however, disputes this marital status, leading to a protracted legal dispute.
The court documents reveal that Mlotshwa is seeking a staggering R500,000 per month from Black Coffee for the maintenance of herself and their children. Judge Ntanga's judgment details Mlotshwa's explanation for this substantial demand.
According to the judgment, "The plaintiff explained her lifestyle by testifying that she used to get shopping sprees of thousands of rands, euros and dollars." She further stated, "She testified that she is currently a freelance actress, and this varies from once a year to working five times a year, one short start project, or one six-month project. In total the plaintiff testified that an amount of R500000 will be sufficient for both minor children and her."
The court documents also reveal how the pair first met. Ntanga said Mlotshwa testified that she first met Black Coffee, while on the set of a television show known as Tshisa when the internationally acclaimed music producer was a guest on the show. He told her he was carrying the torch for her, and they started dating after he melted her heart.
He said they later travelled to Greece, where they were engaged.
The judgment further reveals that Mlotshwa allegedly pleaded with her uncles to allow her to marry Black Coffee on the day he paid lobola (bride price). According to the court documents, Mlotshwa's plea was based on Black Coffee's millionaire status and her deep affection for him.
Judge Ntanga stated, “She testified that tradition was followed; the groom stood outside of the gate and asked for permission to come in. Her uncles were not happy that she was engaged before the defendant had spoken to her family, but she spoke to them and requested leniency, as she was in love and the defendant was a millionaire.”
The lobola negotiations resulted in an agreement of R70,000, which Black Coffee's family paid in two instalments.
Further adding fuel to the fire, Mlotshwa claims that she sacrificed her burgeoning acting career due to Black Coffee's requests. She alleges that he wanted her to stay at home to massage his injured hand and that he was uncomfortable with her kissing male actors in on-screen roles.
Ntanga wrote, “The defendant was no longer comfortable with her taking kissing scenes. She testified that majority of the time she was not working. In order to keep peace in the household, she looked after the house, packing the defendant’s clothes, fed him, and massaged the defendant’s injured hand.”
Mlotshwa also testified that their marriage began to unravel due to Black Coffee's alleged infidelity. “The plaintiff testified that they started having difficulties in their marriage and averred that the defendant had extra-marital affairs, which resulted in the defendant having children outside of their marriage. Both parties confirmed that their marriage relationship has irretrievably broken down and that there are no prospects of restoring it to a normal marriage relationship.”
Black Coffee, in his testimony, painted a different picture. He claimed that when he met Mlotshwa, she was driving an old, unreliable car. “When the plaintiff got pregnant, she drove this vehicle, and he decided to buy her a new car the same year. He believes that the comments about him being a millionaire originate from this,” the judge stated.
Regarding the maintenance of their children, Black Coffee stated that he already contributes significantly to their upbringing. “Regarding maintenance of the minor children, the defendant testified that he pays R50000 every month in addition to school fees. He made an example of the amount of R300 000 he pays for school fees for one of the children. He testified that one of the children is in the racing academy, and the fees for that are R1-million. He testified that he pays R48 000 for security in the house where the plaintiff and the children reside. He disputed the plaintiff’s claim of R500000 for maintenance,” wrote Ntanga.
The divorce proceedings are ongoing, and the court will need to determine the marital status of the couple and the appropriate division of their assets. The case continues to attract significant public attention, given the celebrity status of both parties and the dramatic nature of the allegations. The outcome of this case will undoubtedly have significant implications for both Mlotshwa and Black Coffee, as well as providing a glimpse into the complexities of high-profile divorces in South Africa.
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